Arthur Peschansky Polsci 101 Socrates’ Exemplary Citizen Socrates is considered by many to be a man of infinite wisdom; his ideas quoted and his methods repeated throughout history. Through the works of “The Apology” and “Crito” we are able to gain a limited but appropriate understanding of a few of Socrates’ beliefs. By building on some of his ideas and analyzing his phrases it is possible to construct an idea of a perfect Socratic citizen. In “Crito” Socrates states, “the most important thing is not life, but the good life. […] And that the good life, the beautiful life, and the just life are the same […]” (48b). Thus, we must examine what sort of citizen it would take to lead this all-important “good life.” In both works Socrates hints at a few important qualities necessary to lead the proper life. He begins in “The Apology” on 21b to elaborate on the idea that a man with true wisdom admits that he has none. He continues this by commenting on various professionals who claim to have wisdom in areas in which they truly do not (21d-22e). Therefore, it can be stated that to begin on the

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